Reporter helps student with back-to-school shopping

Green Bay Press-Gazette reporter Patti Zarling volunteers to help Joseph Daniels pick out clothing and school supplies during the Service League's 22nd Annual Back to School Store, at Green Bay East High School, Wednesday, August 6, 2014. H. Marc Larson/Press-Gazette Media(Photo: H. Marc Larson)

What kid doesn't like shopping for school clothes and supplies, right?

I was always excited when it came time to load up on new stuff, to start in September with freshly sharpened pencils, pointy crayons and clean notebooks.

So, after years of covering the Green Bay Service League's Back to School Store as a reporter, I was eager this week to work as a volunteer "shopper" for the annual event, seeing things from the other side.

Let me say, I hope I can do it again next year.

The Back to School Store supplies about 3,000 needy Green Bay area students with everything from socks and shoes to notebooks and backpacks. Students are chosen beforehand by schools and social service agencies. One volunteer is paired with one child to shop, which takes about an hour. Many volunteers work in shifts and walk a few kids through the process.

About 1,500 middle school students receive pre-packed supplies a few days earlier, and younger kids come to Green Bay's East High School to pick out their goodies. Organizers say more families could use the help — they serve as many as they have supplies for.

The whole setup is finely tuned.

Volunteers use a special VIP door and are given red aprons. Those of us who were new to volunteering had a quick tutorial.

Volunteer Bonnie Tennie helps Andrew Garcia pick out clothing during the Service League's 22nd Annual Back to School Store, at Green Bay East High School, Wednesday, August 6, 2014. (Photo: H. Marc Larson/Press-Gazette Media)

Volunteer Debbie Zuleger takes measurements while fitting Jessica Lopez with a pair of jeans during the Service League's 22nd Annual Back to School Store, at Green Bay East High School, Wednesday, August 6, 2014. (Photo: H. Marc Larson/Press-Gazette Media)

Volunteers receive instructions before being paired up with students to pick out clothing and school supplies during the Service League's 22nd Annual Back to School Store, at Green Bay East High School, Wednesday, August 6, 2014. (Photo: H. Marc Larson/Press-Gazette Media)

Volunteer Tabatha Reyes helps David Arellano Leon pick out clothing during the Service League's 22nd Annual Back to School Store, at Green Bay East High School, Wednesday, August 6, 2014. (Photo: H. Marc Larson/Press-Gazette Media)

Volunteer Cindy Kreil helps Brian Pinckney pick out a backpack during the Service League's 22nd Annual Back to School Store, at Green Bay East High School, Wednesday, August 6, 2014. (Photo: H. Marc Larson/Press-Gazette Media)

Dr. Craig Janssen, left, and Dr. Steven Hein provide dental check-ups for children during the Service League's 22nd Annual Back to School Store, at Green Bay East High School, Wednesday, August 6, 2014. (Photo: H. Marc Larson/Press-Gazette Media)

Volunteers help elementary school students pick out school supplies during the Service League's 22nd Annual Back to School Store, at Green Bay East High School, Wednesday, August 6, 2014. (Photo: H. Marc Larson/Press-Gazette Media)

Volunteers are paired up with elementary school students to help pick out clothing and school supplies during the Service League's 22nd Annual Back to School Store, at Green Bay East High School, Wednesday, August 6, 2014. (Photo: H. Marc Larson/Press-Gazette Media)

Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:

Then the mission began. I helped Joseph, a friendly guy who will attend second grade at Green Bay's Howe Elementary School in fall. His likes? Basketball and pizza. And he's excited about a new baby brother or sister arriving soon.

He wasn't too excited about the first stop — a quick visit to the dentist. Joseph was happy to hear they wouldn't be doing any actual work. And he got a new toothbrush and toothpaste.

Next we moved to the giant gym so he could pick up a new wardrobe, starting with jeans.

Joseph went straight to the light gray corduroys. He's a man of style. Not having kids of my own, I was super glad for the help of a friendly volunteer on the size and whether they fit properly as Joseph tried them on.

Joseph was ready for shoes next, although I still had to corral him to pick a shirt and some socks. Again, no T-shirts for this young guy. He went for a sharp button-down red shirt, which will go great with his new pants.

Joseph was very excited about his new shoes and couldn't believe he got to take them home. Unfortunately, they had much more variety in a size way too big for Joseph. Luckily, he found a cool pair of black Nikes in his own size.

Buy Photo

Press-Gazette Media reporter Patti Zarling helps Joseph Daniels pick out clothing and school supplies during the Service League's 22nd annual Back to School Store at Green Bay East High School.(Photo: H. Marc Larson/Press-Gazette Media)

Then, on to the school supplies. Again, a very smooth system is in place.

The kids go through two separate aisles depending on their grade level. Pick up a backpack, fill it with pencils, folders, notebooks, a pencil box, crayons and more supplies.

Our final stop: Joseph picked out a reading book from a table stacked with options.

We then headed to the auditorium, where he met his waiting family.

A fellow volunteer with a few years of experience told me parents used to accompany kids as they picked out their stuff. But organizers wanted it to be a special day for kids, when they could pick out things they liked, so they asked parents to wait while the volunteers took over.

There's also a big need for bilingual volunteers. Several leaders walked the hall asking if any volunteers spoke Spanish as some waited in line to be paired with kids.

Thanks to young Joseph, I reconnected with my excitement about getting new things before the start of school. I also was reminded to be grateful for the things I have.

— pzarling@pressgazettemedia.com or follow her on Twitter @PGPattiZarling

Service League effort

Service League of Green Bay provided 1,331 elementary-aged children with clothing, sneakers, socks, underwear and a new backpack filled with school supplies. The group provided 1,500 middle school–aged children with new backpacks and school supplies as well. To donate or help, go to serviceleaguegb.org.